Fast Charlie... the Moonbeam Rider
| Fast Charlie... the Moonbeam Rider | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical poster | |
| Directed by | Steve Carver |
| Written by | Ed Spielman Howard Friedlander |
| Screenplay by | Michael Gleason |
| Produced by | Roger Corman Saul Krugman |
| Starring | David Carradine Brenda Vaccaro L. Q. Jones R. G. Armstrong Terry Kiser Jesse Vint Noble Willingham Ralph James Bill Bartman David Hayward II |
| Cinematography | William Birch |
| Edited by | Eric Orner Tony Redman |
| Music by | Stu Phillips |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | Universal Pictures |
Release date |
|
Running time | 98 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Box office | $444,334[1] |
Fast Charlie... the Moonbeam Rider is a 1979 comedy film starring David Carradine and Brenda Vaccaro and directed by Steve Carver.[2]
Plot
Charlie Swattle, a laid-back World War I veteran (and possibly a deserter), swindles his way into the First Intercontinental Motorcycle Race and its hefty $5,000 prize, set to start on July the 4th, 1919.
On his way to the big event, by reason, trick, and force, he reunites his crew of fellow veterans who like him well, but don't trust a word he says. He also meets Grace, who outsmarts him and gets the ownership of his Moonbeam Special motorcycle, so Charlie is forced to take her and her young son with him. Romance ensues, complicated because she doesn't tell the whole truth and he lies all the time.
At the race, Charlie must face the dangers of the road, cutthroat competitors, and the owner of a motorcycle company who will do absolutely anything for his team to win, including offering him a substantial bribe.
So, Charlie is faced with a choice. What will he be, a small-time crook, a big-time crook, or a real winner?
Cast
- David Carradine ... Charlie Swattle
- Brenda Vaccaro ... Grace Wolf
- L. Q. Jones ... Floyd
- R. G. Armstrong ... Al Barber
- Terry Kiser ... Lester Neal
- Jesse Vint ... Calvin Hawk
- Noble Willingham ... Pop Bauer
- Ralph James ... Bill Bartman
- Bill Bartman ... Young Man
- David Hayward II ... Cannonball McCall
- Whit Clay ... Wesley Wolf
- Jack Hunsucker ... Mechanic
Production
The film was originally written for Steve McQueen.[3]
Vaccaro was forced to make the movie under her contract with Universal. "I never would have done it otherwise" she said although she later said doing the movie was "great fun".[4]
Filming took place in July and August 1977 in Oklahoma.
References
- ^ Fast Charlie... the Moonbeam Rider (1979) Box Office Mojo
- ^ Fast Charlie... the Moonbeam Rider at IMDb
- ^ Taylor, Tadhg (Oct 14, 2015). Masters of the Shoot-'Em-Up: Conversations with Directors, Actors and Writers of Vintage Action Movies and Television Shows. McFarland. p. 65. ISBN 9780786494064.
- ^ Mills, N. (Jun 4, 1978). "Honest, gutsy, and 38--that's vaccaro". Chicago Tribune. ProQuest 171651275.
External links
- New York Times Movies
- Fast Charlie... the Moonbeam Rider at the TCM Movie Database
- Fast Charlie... the Moonbeam Rider at the Internet Movie Database
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